Job

Thank you to all who gathered and contributed yesterday (11th August) morning. Bob may have forgotten his guitar, but was inspiring with praise, prayer and shouts!

Thank you to Frank for sharing scriptures, and to Shirlene for leading communion. Connie testified to good news re family during the past week, as did Michelle.

Job is one of the oldest books in the Bible, addressing one of the oldest problems in the world – why do godly people suffer.  Chapter 1 sets the scene. Job is the wealthiest man in that part of the world, God-fearing, and of complete integrity.

Satan believes that if Job’s family, wealth and health are taken from him, he will turn against God. The Lord permits this.

Job suffers huge losses, and endures awful suffering. The bulk of the book comprises arguments, observations and opinions from 3 older men, 1 younger man, and Job himself, concerning the reason for suffering. The over-riding sentiment is that God blesses the godly and punishes the ungodly. Job knows this is wrong, but cannot understand what is happening or why.

Eventually God breaks in and asks “Where were you when I created the world?” In other words, there are some things we are unable to understand. Job is an amazing example to follow, and eventually received double for all he had lost.

But – why did wise men misunderstand so much? Because there was no clear revelation concerning such a situation. Today we have revelation through Jesus, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit inspiring truth through teachers, preachers, prophets, etc. Our free access to the Bible gives clear teaching on everything necessary to receive blessing from God, and of how to live to please him. Read it, and live the life.

Why do some professing Christians read the Bible infrequently? Why do many in the Church compromise on sexual issues, when the word of God is quite clear that fornication, adultery and homosexuality are sins that God hates? Do some Christians not understand the truth because they naively follow the culture of this fallen world, and ignore the clear word of God?

As we step into a new week, let us take our relationship with God seriously, read the Bible daily, live the life, and help bring in the kingdom of God.

Next meeting – prayer at Catfield, Thursday at 2pm

Next Sunday – Frettenham, usual time and place